2009 Ford Focus Coupe-Cabriolet

Fords stylish droptop gets a slight makeover.

NICK KURCZEWSKI

Mar 3, 2008

We think the Ford Focus coupe-cabriolet would look great on the sun-drenched streets of Miami Beach or Southern California. And considering that this stylish retractable hardtop convertible is getting the automotive equivalent of a nose job, it would even blend right in with the locals.

Unfortunately, the Focus C-C and its elegant Pininfarina-designed body will be staying in Europe, as there are currently no plans to bring it stateside. Exterior changes to the new version being shown here in Geneva are pretty subtle. The headlights are more swept back, the front grilles are a little larger, and, honestly, that’s about it.

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The C-C has now been brought into line with the same "kinetic" design used on the recently updated European Focus sedan and coupe. We drove the previous coupe-cabriolet and found that it’s as nice to drive as it is to look at—or be seen in.

Improvements to the 2009 version include a new instrument cluster (done in "binocular style," according to Ford) with red backlighting. It also gets tire-pressure monitoring, improved audio systems, keyless start, and an upgraded navigation unit.

The restyled Focus coupe-cabriolet also gets a wider range of diesel and gasoline engines. An entry-level 98-hp, 1.6-liter four-cylinder gas engine is probably good for fuel mileage fanatics, but we’d opt for the 136-hp, 2.0-liter diesel or 145-hp, 2.0-liter gas engine.

Two trim levels will be available: Trend and the top-of-the-heap Titanium series that includes larger alloy wheels, a sport suspension, and part-leather seating. The Focus coupe-cabriolet goes on sale later this year.